G'day Gents!
Here's something from the "original" Thread, now on Page 5 of the Forums!!
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/451/991587/ShowPost.aspx#991587
from Page 147 of the "original" Thread
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #14
Here's something to enjoy regarding the Budd Company and the Wabash from a advertisement (early 1950s) found in one of my scrap books.
New Blue Bird On The Wabash This is the Wabash Railroad's new Budd-built, all-stainless steel Blue Bird, on its winging flight between St. Louis and Chicago. The Blue Bird will make the round trip daily between these two great terminal cities, adding to the completeness of Wabash service and presenting to its passengers comfort and luxury in rail travel previously unknown. For the Blue Bird is the latest in the roster of distinguished name trains which Budd has created for the modernization of American railroads. Four of its cars are Vista-Domes, giving passengers an unobstructed view of the rolling prairies, picturesque bluffs and river scenery along the way. Like all Budd-designed, Budd-built equipment, this train illustrates a principle - that better products are made of ideas as well as steel. This was true of the all-steel automobile body which Budd originated and which has made Budd the largest independent builder of body components in the world. It was true of the steel wheel which Budd developed to take the place of wood. It has been demonstrated in the Budd Disc Brake, and in stainless steel highway trailers. In the railroad field, Budd ideas were revolutionary. Ideas that attract passengers by making rail travel more inviting. Ideas that permit faster schedules and yield substantial operating economies. It was Budd vision which led to the whole concept of the modern, stainless steel light weight streamliner. And Budd today is the only car builder who employs the superior strength of stainless steel to achieve lightweight construction with safety.
The Budd Co., Philadelphia, Detroit Budd
Enjoy! Tom
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #1
Southern Pacific Railroad (SP)
A form of this was initially Posted on Page 106 of the original Thread
source: Classic American Railroads
Caveat: The information provided is NOT all inclusive and is reflective only of the periods mentioned.
Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Mileage:
1950: 15,039 (including subsidiary St. Louis-Southwestern)
1955: 178,340 (including subsidiaries, SW, SPCSL, and D&RGW)
Locomotives in 1963:
Diesel: 2,096
Rolling stock in 1963:
Freight cars 77,401 - Passenger cars: 1,002
Principal lines as of 1950:
Los Angeles-San Francisco via San Jose
San Jose-Ogden, Utah
Davis, CA-Portland, OR, via Chemult and Eugene, OR
Eugene-Black Butte via Roseburg, OR
Sacramento-Burbank (LA) via Bakersfield
Lathrop-Martinez, CA
LA-New Orleans via Phoenix, AZ
El Paso, TX-Tucumcari, NM
Galveston-Dallas/Denison, TX via Houston and Hearne
Rosenburg-Brownsville, TX
San Antonio-Corpus Christi, TX
Houston-Shreveport, LA
St. Louis-Dallas/Ft. Worth (SSW)
Memphis, TN-Brinkley, AR
Mt. Pleasant-Waco, TX (SSW)
Lewisville, AK-Shreveport, LA (SSW)
Principal added lines as of 1996:
Tucumcari-St. Louis via Kansas City
St. Louis-Chicago via Bloomington, IL
Kansas City-Chicago via Quincy, IL (trackage rights on BNSF)
Kansas City-Chicago via Ft. Madison, IA (trackage rights on BNSF)
Ogden-Pueblo, CO via Salt Lake City, UT and Salida, CO
Dotsero-Pueblo, CO via Grandby and Denver
Pueblo-Kansas City via Salinas, KS (trackage rights on UP)
Notable passenger trains:
Argonault (LA-New Orleans)
Cascade (Oakland-Portland)
City of San Francisco (Oakland-Chicago via Ogden; joint with UP and C&NW) - Milwaukee Road after 1955)
Coast Daylight (San Francisco-LA via San Luis Obispo; for a time also known as Morning Daylight)
Del Monte (San Francisco-Monterey, CA)
Golden State Limited (LA-Chicago via Tucumcari; joint with Rock Island)
Hustler (Houston-Dallas)
Imperial (LA-Chicago via Tucumcari; joint with Rock Island)
Lark (Oakland/San Francisco-LA via San Luis Obispo)
Owl (San Francisco-LA via Bakersfield)
Sacramento Daylight (Sacramento-LA via Bakersfield)
San Francisco Overland (Until Oct 1955, Oakland-Chicago via Ogden; joint with UP and C&NW; after 1955 Oakland-St. Louis joint with the Wabash Railroad)
San Joaquin Daylight (Oakland-LA via Bakersfield)
Shasta Daylight (Oakland-Portland)
Starlight (San Francisco-LA)
Sunbeam (Houston-Dallas)
Sunset Limited (Initially San Francisco-New Orleans via San Joaquin Valley; later cut back to LA-New Orleans).
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SP Golden State in Palm Springs (1948) (fair use)
SP Golden State in New Mexico (1947) (fair use)
SP City of San Francisco in Wyoming (1948) (fair use)
Enjoy!
Tom
G'day Cap'n Tom & fellow travelers at the bar!
Hi Ho Ruth my deAH! Where are all the guys today
Let's see - in the U.S. we're "celebrating" President's Day - so that puts CM3 I'm NOT Shane! OOC (out of commission) - Wolfman Pete is probably still away for his extended weekend - barndad Doug most probably working - Rob has dropped off of the earth (again) and the list goes on ‘n on . . . Really thought that with yesterday "off," we'd see an upswing . . .
Well, I'm here and I'm ready for a Lars special hero sandwich - ham, Swiss, mustAHd ‘n buttAH and two pickles from the barrel. Ah yes, a saucer of brine for Tex, bucket of ice cubes for Frostbite, a tray of seed for Awk and of course a small jar of pickled pig's feet for Boris! Round for the house, IF we get customers that is! Keep the change my sweet! <grin>
Outstanding work this past Saturday by our mentor and leader. The excellence continued today with those earlier posts for the Budd-Wabash and the Fallen Flag Southern Pacific. Really enjoyed both and hope they don't wind up being "glossed over" as I fear so many of the fine works are these days. Seeing a bit more of the "hit ‘n run" stuff and it is bothersome. Doesn't really take a lot of effort to acknowledge the other guy. Hey! I'm the Manager and I CAN say these things!
Back to the SP, nice pix at the end!
Glad you liked my spread of "book covers" etc. on Saturday!
On the house-hunting progress: Seems that our boys have picked up on the idea of purchasing a home down here. They are all for it and want to be a part of the "deal." They figure that a family get-away would be the way to go, with Mom ‘n Pop having "first dibs" for whatever time we wish. The Mrs. thinks that would pretty much lock us in to having it all to ourselves and not having to worry about rentals and property management, etc. So, looks like we're going into "business" as a family!
Came across a few places that seem to "work" for us and now it's a matter of choosing. We agreed that this is the time to make the decision, after all it's ONLY money! <groan> <fingers crossed>
One of our boys has a boat, a 27 footer and he's just "chomping at the bit" to get it down here and "play" in the Keys. They've already begun ‘scheming' and the like to line up for "who gets to come down" game.
Of course we're not getting rid of or away from our home on Staten Island. That will always remain in the family, long after we're both gone. However, this Florida "thing" has really stoked the coals so much that the Mrs. is acting like she's getting ready for her first Prom. <grin> <lucky me!>
Not sure now whether we will in fact depart the end of this week as planned. Fortunately, we had full fare reservations with "open end" returns, so no sweat on "penalties" and so forth. Should we get to a point where we'll be getting into the buying mode - we'll probably just stick around ‘til the funds can get transferred and all the papers signed on the dotted lines, etc.
So, that's IT from my end of things. Weather down here is still beautiful, but as I mentioned the other day, highs in the 60s. Should be climbing back into the 80s before week's end. Ahhhh, paradise it is.
Phil wants to get in a bit of fishing this evening, so just he ‘n I will try our luck. Says he knows of a "special place" where the fish always are looking to bite. We'll see.
Noted that ‘things' on the "other thread" have had a bit of activity, but not very much. I really think you should closer it up, Cap'n Tom. What's the point No new guys are showing up and sometimes it seems like the more we provide over there, the less we see here. Now that was NOT the intention. For what it's worth, mate!
Hope y'all stay healthy ‘n happy . . . .
Until the next time!
Lars
Hi Tom and everyone, a round for the house
George Washington is 275, born February 11, 1731 until the King of England synchronized his watch.
http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/r/rn2-161.jpg.95286.jpg
http://67.15.20.45/images/images2/r/rn2-156.jpg.64886.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/il/il0700/il0705/photos/037295pv.jpg
http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/il/il0800/il0837/photos/318399pv.jpg
Chesapeake & Ohio
http://67.15.20.45/images/c/co4021-RF.jpg.66811.jpg
http://67.15.20.45/images/r/rn1-450.jpg.10370.jpg
Northern Pacific
http://www.cvrma.org/pictures/MISC/dfrr5_148_np_budd_rail-diesel_car_duluth_mn_terminal_1963.jpg
Pennsylvania Railroad
Mike
Good evening Captain Tom and Gentlemen!!
Leon, tonight I would like a Sugar Cured Ham Sandwich! Yep, the usual kind! Coffee!
Monday evening! A rainy day in Phoenix, some thunder and lightning and rain. We certainly need a lot of rain, so let it come! Kind of strange feeling not to visit Our Place yesterday.
Tom – I don’t know, personally I have never had any problems understanding signals at a long distance when operating a train. What used to be more of a concern was back when there was no ATC and I was following other trains. The signals usually showed “Stop” when I first saw them (and that was expected) but at the same time I knew that they should turn to “Clear” shortly before I got to it. That is if nothing had happened to the other train. Then you just had to stay cool as long as possible but you had to be prepared to apply full service brake when you passed an invisable line to make sure you could actually stop before passing the next signal. There is always a sign at “normal” braking distance to the signal but you always waited beyond that sign. Didn't want to lose speed and momentum.These situations were common during the nights when there are many freight trains running after each other. In Sweden most freight trains are running during the nights, leaving more room on the tracks for passenger trains during daytime. However, all this changed when ATC was installed and you couldn’t follow that close anymore. if you tried the ATC would apply the brakes and stop you.Santa Fe, indeed a very classic railroad! Sure would like to have that book! Nice pictures of a very good looking engine, ATSF F7!!Two train-connected movies at the Mentor Village Emporium Theatre this week! I think I have Runaway train on tape. Have to check that. Louisville and Nashville Railroad! Another railroad I have to look up! Ready for a work week? No, but no one cares, I had to show up at the office anyway. 305 days til Dec 21!Doug – Kind of snowy weather in the Chicago area! I guess those indoor pictures are the Oriental Theatre. For whatever reason the first thing that came to my mind was that there are an awful lot of corners and things to dust. But it looks nice! The “whatever it is” outside the Thompson Center is... different. Lars – House hunting! I understand you and your Mrs 100%. Stay away from snow and ice! It must be a nice feeling to find a house for the family almost in the middle of the sea! Good luck!Good idea, order a snack tray and forget it so the little ones can hace it! I should have checked the menu better. But don’t tell the Captain! A very nice book cover! I actually have that book! Bought it in late 2005. A lot of interesting info in it. Nice ads for “travel by Pullman”! Most from the UK. Plus the picture of that British Pullman car. A lot of glass in the doors.James – Get well soon and stay away from colds in the future! I have been lucky the last few years and have not had a cold for three years now. Centralia, WA is located south of Olympia on the railroad line to Portland, OR. Nice pictures! NP’s mixed train is very short! Grand Canyon in the wintertime! Nice looking locomotives!Mike – Some nice links as usual! I like the picture of the GG1! Yes, the picture with the X2000 was taken from Sears Tower in Chicago. X2000 itself can be seen on the track next to the canal (in my picture that is).
Finally a picture for Pete. I thought I had a much better picture of Class S1 #1921, but this is the only one.
Class 21 was a small locomotive used for light trains on branch lines.
Eric
Denali Star - from my personal collection
Funny thing about these U.S. Monday Holidays - they most times seem as if it's only a "holiday' for a few. Hmmmmmm.
Let's check out The Mentor Village Bakery case, the Menu Board and the coffee urns! That'll put a bounce in your step on this Tuesday!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS!
Lars at 1:22 PM yesterday: Looks as if you "saved the day" once again, Mr. Manager.
Sounds to me as if you ‘n your bride have found "that place" on Earth so many of us keep looking for. For us, it's a mountain top - for you, the ocean, and for others perhaps desert country, river territory and so forth. Whatever flicks your switch - good for the both of you!
Can't tell ya how many times I've "just about" pulled the plug over on "my other Thread" only to keep ‘er going due to a surge in interest. However, there's no denying that we aren't attracting any new blood. So, perhaps the time has come . . . makes no sense to take away from here for there, eh
Many THANX for stopping by!
Mike at 7:41 PM yesterday: A fine spate of URLs from "silent Mike" the bar's URLMeisterMonster!
Enjoyed ‘em all and as always, several brought to mind some fine - super fine - memories. Well THAT's what the Classic Trains idea is all about, eh Too bad so many just don't get it! But that's ‘nother story . . . .
A rather "dinged up" GG1, but always enjoy looking at ‘em! Nice looking Pennsy car too in URL #1 . . .
URL #2 and the George Washington observation "tail" car . . .
URL # 3 ‘n #4 - Chicago, Chicago - my kinda town!
URL # 5 - Nice looking C&O diesel, but where Hmmmmm.
URL #6 - NYCs RDCs along the Hudson - northbound - and mighty fine lookin'!
That's an RDC3 in the lead with two RDC1s in consist . . .
URL #7 - Fine looking NP Alco switcher loco AND RDC3!
URL #8 - Pennsy K4 Pacific steam w/heavyweights!
Eric at 11:33 PM yesterday: Long time, no see BUT happy you returned! Sometimes it's a good thing to recharge the batteries, eh
Fine inclusive Post and good job of catching up, fer sure, fer sure!
Not sure I'd enjoy following too closely on the rails to anything that could cause grief to my well being upon a sudden and surprising STOP! <groan>
So, did I "get it" Referring to the signal displays, of course!
Interesting aspect of the rails in your Pix - almost looks as if they are out of alignment! <oooops>
Raining in the desert - not a bad phenomena, eh
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing.
Boris, serve ‘em all of the "spiked" OJ they can handle!
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #15
Initially Posted on Page 148 of the original Thread
Here's something to enjoy regarding the C&O from a 1940 advertisement found in one of my scrap books.
YOU'LL WISH YOU COULD LOOK both ways AT ONCE! EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS call it "The most beautiful train trip in the East," this mountain-and-canyon route of Chesapeake and Ohio Lines. On this magnificent journey you look out and down upon waves of mountains - the majestic Alleghanies, the mysteriously tinted Blue Ridge . . . upon valleys stretching like bright carpets to the far, purple hills. The scene changes - and you look up the towering green walls of the New River Gorge as you roll smoothly through the widest and deepest canyon this side of the Rockies. Yes, when you watch this panorama of thrilling beauty from your train windows, you'll wish you could look both ways at once! On your next trip east or west GO CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO . . . and enjoy glorious mountain country! You'll travel in complete comfort, on the smoothest of roadbeds, in cool, clean air-conditioned cars that invite you to relax by day and Sleep Like a Kitten at night . . . When you travel west or east, plan to ride through The Chessie Corridor on these famous trains- THE GEORGE WASHINGTON - THE SPORTSMAN - THE F. F. V. Sleep like a Kitten THE CHESSIE CORRIDOR, The Scenic Route of the East A NEW BOOK on Chessies Travel Packages will help you plan interesting, economic trips. Write for free copy to Chesapeake and Ohio Travel Services, 829 East Main St., Richmond, Va.
George Washington's Railroad CHESAPEAKE and OHIO Lines Original Predecessor Company Founded by George Washington in 1785
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. Gas is $2.45 this a.m. - gone up nearly 50 cts a gallon in 10 days. We had approx 9-inches of "little or no accumulation" over the weekend and it was !@#$ cold - at least the snow brushed off easily; K9s ran several plow extras out in the yard. Today is the warmest it's been here in about am month; actually above freezing.
Lars has been visiting us with all sorts of FL. Ideas; go for it.
Eric re NP passenger service; it disappeared in 1971 as true NP operation.
Barndad provided us with some fine Chicago pictures; can feel that lovely cold dampness.
James - I believe your NP picture was made at Centralia, WA. Back in the day, Centralia was served by your favorite MILW, NP, UP, and GN.
Mike sent along some interesting pictures.
C&O 4021 photograph was made at Louisville. I wish I could get a better view of the baggage car in the middle of the picture as it may have been setout either from the "South Wind" or the "Pan American." Anyway, the photographer is standing about in the middle of the platform looking at the train shed. The L&N used the tracks to the right side of the picture. In fact, the L&N main offices are just to the right. PRR trains came in from the left as the station was a stub on a wye layout. The C&O E unit in the picture is on the Louisville section of the "George Washington." Rode it many times, thanks for sharing. For what it's worth, the L&N had similar sheds on two other passenger stations. Anybody out there know where these stations were?
The NYC track is horrendous in that picture - enough to make you weep.
Last, the PRR K4 with the P70 coaches was photographed in Philadelphia.
Our ‘steamed proprietor sent all sorts of interesting material. Some "select" movies at the Mentor Theatuh. "Strangers on a Train" is a good one. Calling all Curs is one of my favorite Stooge pictures. Also thanks for all of the advertising material (from many different railroads)and for the SP pictures. Check out the Golden State livery on the SP units at Palm Springs; not something you see every day.
Every so often PBS gets it right and they did last night. Back to back presentations of interest to the "Captains of Industry" in the group. An American Experience program on the NY Subway followed by Ken Burns's film on the Brooklyn Bridge (narrated by David McCulloch. The Roeblings (senor and younger) are inspiring figures. One quick one b4 Boris drags me off to "da Rat Room." Neither of these projects could have been built today. "‘Nuff said."
Work safe
Now arriving on Track # 3
Classic Transit - Number One
Seattle Center Monorail
Used with permission from: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Formatting differences made necessary due to Forums requirements.
Locale
Seattle
Transit type
Monorail
Began operation
March 24, 1962
System length
1.2 mi (1.6 km)
No. of lines
1
No. of stations
2
Daily ridership
7,000
Operator
Seattle Monorail Services
The Seattle Center Monorail is an elevated monorail line in Seattle, Washington, that runs one mile along Fifth Avenue from Westlake Center in Downtown to Seattle Center in Lower Queen Anne. It claims to be the "only fully self-sufficient public transit system" in the United States, and with a top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h), to also be the fastest full-sized monorail in the country. The monorail trains and their tracks were given historical landmark status by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board April 16, 2003.
Creation and route
The monorail, which cost $3.5 million to build, opened on March 24, 1962 for the Century 21 Exposition, a World's Fair being held at the current site of Seattle Center. Eight million people rode the monorail during the half year the fair was open; today, annual ridership is around 2.5 million.
At the northern end of the line, the Experience Music Project building was designed so that the monorail passes through it on its way to the terminal.
Originally, the south end of the line was a large station in Westlake Park that formed a lid over the park. In 1988, the station was moved north a block with the construction of the Westlake Center shopping mall. In order to fit the design of the mall the tracks were moved closer together, such that there is only room for one train to occupy the Westlake Center station at a time. This design decision introduced a collision risk at the station that was eventually realized in 2005.
Operation
The monorail tracks with the Space Needle visible in the distance
The Seattle Center Monorail operates daily. It departs every 10 minutes from the station at Seattle Center enroute to Westlake Center Mall, at Fifth and Pine Street. Each trip takes two minutes to cover the approximately one mile route. Each train can carry up to 450 passengers per trip. The Monorail provides two-train service during special events and activities, with departures every five minutes or less.
Round-trip fares are $4.00 for adults, $1.50 for youth ages 5-12, $2.00 for senior 65+, disabled (with valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit), and persons with Medicare cards. One-way fares are half of the round-trip price. Children four and under ride free.
Potential demolition
In November 2002, Seattle voters approved the construction of a new 14-mile monorail line. The "Green Line," as it was known, was to be the first of five monorail lines running throughout the city. Partial service was scheduled to be available in 2007, and full service was scheduled for 2009. Due to the route chosen from Queen Anne to Downtown, the existing monorail line was to be demolished as part of that project. The Green Line project was terminated by a public vote in November 2005 after concerns were raised about its financing plan.
Accidents
(foto credit: Garrett Fitzgerald - Public Domain)
The train on the right was approaching the station, and should have yielded.
On July 25, 1971, a brake failure on the red train resulted in it striking the girder at the end of the track in the Seattle Center station, causing injuries to 26 passengers. In 2002 and 2003. passengers were evacuated by ladder after trains stalled on the track.
On May 31, 2004, a fire broke out on the monorail with 150 people aboard. No one was killed; five passengers were taken to the hospital, none of them burned. The line was closed until December 16, 2004, when service resumed with one of the two trains (the "red train," newly fireproofed) in operation.
Evenin' Tom and friends! Found a little time to check the activity here, so I'll be needing a bottomless draught while I read, and buy a round for the crowd of course. Great to see visits from Eric and CM3 today, and some outstanding posts from our Captain.
We're making some decorating progress on the homefront, and I'm scoring more points by hanging around for a security system installation tomorrow, so of course I'm thinking that I'm going to be owed some train-time activities as a reward. I'm thinking a trip to Galesburg to watch the activity in a few weeks!
Yes, those confusing pix were inside the Oriental Theatre, but I could only take pictures in the lobby. They really watch to make sure no one gets pictures inside the theatre, as the props are super secret I guess. They have their hands full with cell phones being what they are these days.
Tom's Seattle Monorail post got me to wondering if someone makes monorail systems for layouts?
I need to get going here, but will leave some Michagan quarters for some tunes!
Good evening Captain Tom and all present!!
I'll have a Filet Mignon tonght Leon! Medium. Yes, please add some mushroom! Good stuff!
A number of fine posts provided by the Captain today! Including the Chessie System, one of my Mrs. favorites (after UP) because of the Kitten logo!
Tom – Holiday for a few? Yes, I think you are right but it seems to be quite a few. The traffic yesterday morning and evening was like a Sunday morning! I made it to (and from) work in no time at all! Have to comment your response to Lars about “that place”. “My place” is in the middle of the forest (that is where I lived in the old country), not the desert. But circumstances put me here and that is okay, but I certainly miss the forest. Yeah, it was nice to recharge the batteries. I have to clarify one thing about following behind an other train. There was never any risk for any “rear ending” or that kind of mishap. The worst thing that could happen would have been to pass a stop signal with part of the train. That is something you want to avoid, cause if “they” find out you better have a good explanition why and how it happened. Yes sir, you were correct reading the signal aspect in that picture, “expect clear” for my train. The signals further down the line are showing “clear, expect clear” and “clear”. It is hard to see that in the picture but when I look at the original I can see it. You passed the test!! There is a shortage of locomotive engineers in Sweden, maybe you are interested? The alignment of the rail is just fine, the speed of the train when I took the picture was 125 mph and we did not derail. We got 1/3” of rain yesterday, not bad at all! We certainly need it. Nice ad for C&O! Sleep like a Kitten sounds nice, at least it looks very comfortable when a kitten is asleep! I have seen Seattle Monorail but I never “tried” it. But the monorail tracks are visible at the top of the picture below. Interesting info about Seattle Center Monorail! But they converted 1.2 miles to 1.6 km, it should be 1.9 km. 1 mile = 1.609 km.
I just realized that my picture is showing the same intersection as in the third picture from the top in your post! My picture was taken from a hotel on the street to the right.
CM3 – Thanks for the info on NP’s passenger service! 1971 makes sense, the year Amtrak took over most of the passenger service. Doug – Scoring points?!! Supervising Security System installation should give you a lot of extra bonus points! Yes, there are models of monorails for layouts, see the link below.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/al/docs/monorail.htm
Wednesday's Witticism
Did you know An optimist is man who, when she says, "I'm tellin' you know for the last time," he says, "I knew you'd weaken in time."
Seems like Spring here in mid-continent USA as all of the ice layers have melted, heavy winter gear shed in favor of lighter wear and all's right with the world! Wellllllllllll, maybe not everything! Petrol jumped to $2.29 (rounded) up at "Collusion Corner" after the Speculators and Extortionists in the "trade" decided we'd had enough of "low" prices. And the beat goes on . . .
Another SLOW day at the Bar by the Ballast and it surely seems to the Proprietor that we are limping into the end of this 2nd year of business. ALWAYS appreciate the support from those of you who give a Rat's Patoot - that's why I'm here!
CM3 at 8:52 AM - and - Doug at 7:10 PM yesterday - quarters for Herr Wurlitzer's Coal Scuttle from both!
Eric at 11:09 PM yesterday: Many thanx for the dialogue and business! Getting difficult to remain awake ‘round here these days (daze)!
I'd take living in Sweden in a "heart beat" just as long as there'd be a "guarantee" of snow cover for winter, fuel for the furnace, beer for the ‘fridge and trains to ride! <grin> Ahhhh, I'm too O-L-D to even think about relocating.
Good "catch" with the metric conversion! Just goes to show (once again) that "net" sources aren't always "Gospel"!! Wikipedia does have a method in place for updated and corrected material. That's far different from the majority of "net" sources, eh Thanx for the Pix from Seattle!
Seattle, "The Emerald City," has always been a favorite place of mine to visit. Spent considerable time out that way back in early 1960 (7 weeks in Jan/Feb) and the sun never shown one day! Then over time, several trips where it was an absolutely beautiful scenic place to be. Have LOTS of memories from there. Happened to be in SeaTac airport when Mt. St. Helens blew it's top - was my birthday - May 18th. Never forget it.
Anyway, my bride and I rode the mono rail in 1996 to the "needle" and back to downtown. Thought then, as I do now, "What a pity that the line is so limited." It's really only a tourist "thing," but a treat nonetheless!
Ya know, I never ‘wished' to be a train engineer, conductor or any other fashion of employee. Rather, my preferences have always been to ride ‘em and enjoy ‘em and "weep" when they reached their destinations. Just detest the end of the run . . .
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #2
Missouri Pacific Railroad (MP)
Headquarters: St. Louis, MO
Route mileage in 1950: 9,700
Locomotive fleet in 1963: Diesel: 724
Rolling stock in 1950:
Freight cars: 44.923 Passenger cars: 533
Principal lines in 1950:
St. Louis-Sedalia-Kansas City, MO-Omaha, NE
Jefferson City-Boonville-Kansas City
St. Joseph, MO-Stockton, KS
Kansas City-Pueblo, CO
Osawatomie, KS-Wagoner, OK-North Little Rock, AR
Pleasant Hill, MO-Wichita-Geneseo, KS
Fort Scott-Larned, KS
Rich Hill-Joplin, MO
Carthage, MO-Diaz, AR
St. Louis-Little Rock, AR-Texarkana, TX
East St. Louis, IL-Poplar Bluff, MO
Bismark, MO-Salem, IL
Bald Knob, AR-Memphis, TN
Little Rock-McGehee, AR-Lake Charles, LA
Memphis-McGehee
McGehee-Vidalia, LA
Pine Bluff-Hot Springs, AR
Gurdon, AR-Clayton, LA
Longview-Laredo, TX
Palestine-Galveston, TX
Brownsville, TX-Baton Rouge, LA-New Orleans
New Orleans-Donaldson-Alexandria, LA
Forth Worth-Spring (Houston), TX
El Paso-Longview, TX-Livonia, LA-New Orleans (T&P)
Fort Worth, TX-Cypress, LA, via Texarkana & Marthaville, LA (T&P)
Texarkana-Longview (T&P)
Passenger Trains of note:
Aztec Eagle (San Antonio-Mexico City)
Colorado Eagle (St, Louis-Denver)
Houstonian (New Orleans-Houston)
Louisiana Sunshine Special (Little Rock-Lake Charles)
Missouri River Eagle (St. Louis-Omaha)
Missourian (St. Louis-Kansas City and Wichita)
Orleanean (Houston-New Orleans)
Ozarker (St. Louis-Little Rock)
Pioneer (Houston-Brownsville)
Rainbow Special (Kansas City-Little Rock)
Royal Gorge (Kansas City-Pueblo)
Southerner (St. Louis-El Paso & San Antonio & New Orleans)
Southern Scenic (Kansas City-Memphis)
Sunflower (St. Louis-Kansas City & Wichita)
Sunshine Special (St. Louis-Hot Springs & San Antonio)
Texan (St. Louis-Fort Worth)
Texas Eagle (No. 1 & 2: St. Louis-El Paso, TX)
Texas Eagle (No. 21 & 22: St. Louis-Houston & San Antonio)
Valley Eagle (Houston-Brownsville)
Of note: National Railways of Mexico operated the Aztec Eagle between Nuevo Laredo-Mexico City.
T&P operated the El Paso trains out of Texarkana and handled Texarkana-Longview trains.
Denver trains out of Pueblo were operated by D&RGW.
MP E3 #7001 "Colorado Eagle Streamliner" at Jefferson City, MO (1948) (courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Fred Schneikart)
MP E8 #40 "Eagle Streamliner" at Poplar Bluff, MO (late 60s)(courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Joe Falvey)
MP Alco PA-2 #8009 at Raymondville, TX (1952) (courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Arthur B. Johnson)
MP Alco PA #8018 at KCity, MO (1962)(courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: postcard)
MP PA-3 #8019 at Texarkana, TX (1956)(courtesy: www.trainweb.org) (foto: Arthur B. Johnson)
Good Morning Barkeep and all Present; coffee, please; round for the house, and $ for the jukebox. Heavy fog here this a.m. The fog was layered in spots, so while crossing various bridges driving to work I was in clear weather with the fog below me. Joys of our terrain.
Barndad stopped by. Which side of Galesburg are you going to visit? I have not been there in a long time, but recall there being Burlington and Santa Fe "sides" as it were; probably all lumped together now.
Eric - I know what you mean about missing certain things. In my case, it's the Olde Towne Team and real seafood.
Our ‘Steamed Proprietor sent along some most fascinating material on the Seattle Monorail. I did not know that it had been around that long. Also thanks for the C&O material and the MP item(s). The first MP picture shows an E unit. In the early days, IIRC, you could get different options from the manufacturer. Thus, the two portholes on the E. The picture of the blue E8 shows it in an "as built" configuration. The PAs were beautiful in any configuration, but I always liked the MPs paint scheme.
Folks don't realize how big an operation the MP was. The MP, in the late 1960s, had three gateways for their freight service: St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. Break out your maps and follow along; the MP took great pains to coordinate its freight service
Freights operated between:
St. Louis and Kansas City
St. Louis - Pueblo, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Oakland, and San Francisco (via MP-DRGW- SP and WP)
St. Louis - Atchison, St. Joseph, Lincoln, and Omaha
St. Louis - Joplin, Wichita, Topeka and Salina
St. Louis - Memphis, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lake Charles
St. Louis - Little Rock, Pine Bluff, El Dorado, Ft. Smith, Hope, and Texarkana
St. Louis - Beaumont, Houston, and Galveston
St. Louis - Palestine, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, and Laredo
Memphis - Little Rock, Texarkana, Dallas, Ft. Worth, El Paso, and Los Angeles (via MP-SP)
Memphis -Beaumont, Houston, and Galveston
Memphis - Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, and New Orleans
Memphis - Wichita, Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Omaha
Memphis - Kansas City, Topeka, Salina, Pueblos, Denver, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Oakland, and San Francisco (via MP-DRGW-SP and WP)
New Orleans - Shreveport, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Sweetwater, El Paso, and Los Angeles (via MP-SP)
Here are some other routes
Omaha-St Joseph, Kansas City, Coffeyville, Muskogee, Ft. Worth, Dallas, Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo, El Paso, and Los Angeles (via MP-SP)
Coffeyville-Little Rock, Alexandra, Lake Charles, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge
Topeka-Salina, Wichita, Joplin, and Springfield
Pueblo, Denver, Salt Lake City, Ogden, Oakland, and San Francisco (via MP-WP-SP)
I think you can see where cars were interchanged at common points.
Almost forgot - we were talking about Louisville Union Station yesterday. Other stations along the L&N with similar type train sheds included Nashville and Montgomery.
G'day Cap'n Tom!
Hello Ruth! I think today I'll skip lunch and just go for a cold brew - how about a Schaefer in frosty mug! You sure are looooooooookin' mighty fine, as always and hope all's well with you during these awfully slow times at the bar.
We'll be heading north on Friday as things have gotten a bit too involved for my tolerance regarding the real estate people down here. Not that we're in a hurry, but they sure do have a complicated way of going about "things." Our thoughts are to get back home and give all of this a new approach. We were feeling too pressured and the amount of bucks isn't something to take lightly. So, home it will be. We just haven't found that "right" place yet.
Fishing was fine the other night as we threw back everything caught. Amazing how many different kinds of fish were "hungry" that evening! I'm gonna miss that boat!!
Don't quite know what to say regarding "things" around here, Cap'n Tom. I'm rather perplexed, as my guess is so are you. This is really not a good thing and even my e-mails to certain of the guys are still unanswered. So, I'm at a loss to say anything more other than perhaps it IS time to padlock the door and go about finding other things to do.
Phil 'n I enjoyed your Seattle Monorail feature along with the Mo-Pac from today.
He's amazed, as some of us still are, at the energy you put into this "thing" called "Our" Place. Really bothers me to see the unraveling, especially at a time when we should be enjoying the coming months bring the Anniversary (2 years) and of course the Rendezvous. Sorry to go on 'n on like this, but I honestly got depressed looking through the past pages only to realize that if you didn't do the things you do, this thread would simply vanish. Even the banter at the bar seems to have ended as one or two just refuse to engage and the one's who used to "get with it" are gone. Sad.
Ok, so today is supposed to be our optional hobby-lobby day, huh Don't see anything readily available in my limited archives to make it "work." Sorry.
I just reread this and wonder whether I should delete it all and just check out! Nah - at least it will be a post to keep us going. <groan>
Since we've been down here I haven't been "hooked' on sporting events, other than going to the Super Bowl of course. Amazing how changing locations can do that to ya! I mean, I haven't even thought about the Mets, Yankees, Knicks, Rangers and so on. For me, that's saying something! When we get back, I'm sure the sports pages will be all ready for my 'review.'
We're so fortunate to have such a supportive family (sons and their wives) to watch over things for us. This getaway was not only fun, but very, very necessary for the Mrs. Kind of a mental relief from it all, if you know what I mean. Our short trip up to Plattsburgh pretty much set the stage for all of this. Surely very fortunate in so many respects.
Well, I've rattled on long enough and figure that if no one stops by for the rest of the day, I'll have the "distinction" of being the lone customer since CM3 I'm NOT Shane! dropped off his fine submission with the Missouri Pacific supplemental info.
Eric, I've enjoyed your consistency and appreciate your holding things together for the night crew! We used to have Rob at those times, but I suppose the Canuck Gods have taken him hostage at the LaBatts or Molson breweries! (are they the same these days??) Oh well . . .
Good evening Leon. I'll have a bottomless draught and buy a round for the house with these new-fangled silver dollars that look like quarters. Who thinks of this stuff? I say, bring back the sand-dollar!
We installed our security system, and took care of some obligatory horse-duties for the day. Overall, whe're getting more involved in the horse scene these days. I'll tell ya'll more about that later.
Nice to see CM3 in here today, and I have no idea where to go in Galesburg just yet. I have to do some information gathering before making the trip, which should be a week from Saturday. Want to meet me there?
Great to see manager Lars today as well, and wish him a safe trip back home this Friday.
I see that Captain Tom posted some nice MoPac stuff. Here's a little something along those lines:
This typical frame railroad building with wide eaves stood at DeQuincy, Louisiana, which was the headquarers of the New Orleans, Texas & Mexico Railroad. The NOT&M was owned by the St. Louis-San Francisco, and in 1914 became a component of the SL_SF-controlled Gulf Coast Lines. The GCL was acquired by the Misouri Pacific in 1924. The building served not only as a passenger station but as general offices for the NOT&M and thus represents many such combined office-depot structures. This photograpgh evidently dates from the 1909-1913 period. After 1924, this structure served as headquarters for MoPac's DeQuincy Division for many years.
The following psychological test was developed by a think tank of top U.S. and European psychologists. The results are incredibly accurate in describing your personality with one simple question:Which is your favourite Teletubbie...A. YellowB. PurpleC. GreenD. Red(DECIDE BEFORE SCROLLING DOWN)Profile for women...A. If you chose the Yellow Teletubbie. You are bubbly and cheerful. People come to you when troubled because you always make them feel better about themselves. You are apt to clash with Red Teletubbie people!B. If you chose the Purple Teletubbie. You are active and erratic. You have many ideas and set high standards for yourselves and others. Stay away from Green Teletubbie people, they tend to bring you down.C. If you chose the Green Teletubbie. You are calm and reliable. Family plays a major role in your life and you often sacrifice your needs to please others. Yellow Teletubbie people are a good match for you.D. If you chose the Red Teletubbie. You are bold and emotional. You are fierce in your opinions and quick to anger, but stick by your friends through thick and thin. Purple and Red Teletubbie people are an explosive combination.
Profile for men...A. If you chose the Yellow Teletubbie. You are gay.B. If you chose the Purple Teletubbie. You are gay.C. If you chose the Green Teletubbie. You are gay.D. If you chose the Red Teletubbie. You are gay.
Hi Tom and all.
Well LEON a pint of Bathams please, as I am back from Southern Missouri, and a big change in the weather. Cold with snow flurries and a biting wind to Spring like temperatures y. It was amazing the tree damage from the ice-storm they had down there, it started at Camdenton and was all south of there. I think we were very lucky where we are here in Mid-MO.
Sorry I have not been in the bar the last couple of day's as I have been a bit ‘under the weather as we say in England'
There has been, as usual, very interesting posts while I've been away. Many thanks TOM, ERIC, CM3, LARS, DOUG, and JAMES AND MIKE. and I hope it is not too long before we see DL and ROB again.
ERIC I guessed which was the X2000 but not the location in the photo. Thanks for the pic of the narrow gauge Roundhouse and the pics of the S1 No 1921.There are 2 Swedish locos at the Nene Valley Railway near Peterborough England. They are 4-6-0 no 101 and 2-6-2 Tank No 1178,unfortunately neither are working at the present. There is a 2-6-4 tank loco 1928 at a preservation railway in Tunbridge Wells, which is about 30 mile south of London. Is this a class S1 as well
Looks as though Tom could get a job driving on Swedish railways.
MIKE Thanks for the links. Great pics and good details on the pics from Tom and CM3.
Enjoyed the painting of George Washington.
LARS Really enjoying the reports from Florida, and what a great place to spend Valentine's Day. I wish you the best in your search for a house.
Thanks for the Pullman posters. Reading the one on the Yorkshire Pullman, the train must have run in several portions, it would interesting to know in what stations the Pullmans were joined together to form the all Pullman train that would run to King's Cross London. My guess would be, that the Halifax and Bradford portions would join the Harrogate and Leeds portions at Wakefield and then the Hull Pullman cars would join at Doncaster for the non-stop run to London. I guess the Pullmans would be part of other trains until Wakefield possibly hauled by a small tank locomotive. I have seen a photo of the train south of Doncaster in the 1930s and it was hauled by one of Ivatt's large Atlantic locos, a handsome train it looks too. It is a great thing that Our Place can make one think of these things.
JAMES Hope you get over that cold soon.
Thanks for the pics and that great link to the Sou'wester magazine great pics and a fine text.
Many thanks to the link to the UP signals, it seems complicated being used to the BR signals. I see a signal with a plate can be passed at danger; I wonder if these signals are very common.
DOUG Thanks for sharing the pics of your trip to see ‘Wicked' at the magnificent Oriental Theatre. Do you know anymore about that piece outside the Thompson center.
TOM What can I say, above and beyond by you during a slack time at the Bar. Great Nostalgias on the Santa Fe, Wabash, SP, Chessie L&N and Missouri Pacific and Thanks CM3 for the details of the large freight service the MP operated.
That is a great photo still of #7001 at Jeff City and those Alcos do look good in the MP color scheme. I wonder what company George Washington was involved in that had a connection to the C&O.
And then a new series ‘Classic Transit'. I ‘m afraid to admit I had not heard of the Seattle Monorail before, an interesting line for sure. That collision of the two cars could have been so much worse. An Old Place coincidence Alan has sent some pics from Germany and there is an interesting transit system where the cars hang down from an overhead rail, I will try to get the pics loaded in my album and show them.
All this and two good films on at the Emporium and another good Idiot of the Week, good job the Police Department had a sense of humor. A
(photo courtesy Canada Science & Technology Museum)
4-8-2 above is CV 601.
Mopac pics
http://photoswest.org/photos/00013126/00013127.jpg
http://photoswest.org/photos/00013126/00013160.jpg
http://photoswest.org/photos/00013001/00013053.jpg
http://photoswest.org/photos/00013126/00013203.jpg
http://www.cvrma.org/pictures/MISC/dfrr5_111_mo-pac_alco_diesel_st_louis_union_stn_1958.jpg
Chicago Board of Trade Building
http://67.15.20.45/images/r/rr452.jpg.63251.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/73071966_46b78ed76a_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/158269165_879ed5a7a5_b.jpg
CV postcard
http://maozi.middlebury.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/vtpostcards&CISOPTR=56&REC=19
Rutland pics
http://maozi.middlebury.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/rrphotos&CISOPTR=40&REC=2
http://maozi.middlebury.edu/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=exact&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISOROOT=all&CISOBOX1=Rutland%20Railroad%20Company
Hello Leon, what do you recommend tonight? Don't know? Hmm, how abou... oh, I know! I would like a Meatlof Sandwich and some fries, please! Coffee.
Only two more work days this week. Time flies! 70° F today, 75 tomorrow.
Tom – You know, my birth certificate says one thing about my age, but I feel like 27 so that is how old I am. OK, 27+ to be more correct.I like Seattle too. Have been there a few times and wouldn’t mind living there if it wasn’t for a little bit too much rain (and some snow).
You are right about the net “sources”, always be critical to the info you find. I never rode the monorail, it’s not my “thing”. I don’t know why, but that is how I feel about it. But I rode the Disneyland monorail almost 26 years ago. When I was seven years old I wanted to become a locomotive engineer and I decided that my sister had to work at a restaurant at Stockholm Central Station so I could go there and get something to eat before I started my daily job. But my sister did not like the idea. Thanks for the MP info! I did not know much about them. The first picture shows how they are filling the sand box with sand. Do you know if MP had many Alco’s?CM3 – The thing is, you can’t have it all (like living in a forest), so one has to pick the right thing whenever there is a choice.
Thanks for the info on MP! I understand that MP ran the trains to Pueblo and then DRGW took over the trains heading for the west coast, correct? Lars – You are doing the right thing, backing off when the real estate people are getting to “intensive”! Back off and get some time to make sure you will pick the right place when it is time! You are right about Our Place, it is very, very, slow now. Just wish I had more time (next year I will) so I could help keeping this place busy. But I think it is a little bit too soon to close it yet. I am sure Ruth would hate to miss your visits! Pete – Good to see you again, sir! The 2-6-4 tank is most likely a S1 or possibly a S2. The S1’s were built in the early 50’s and the last steam locomotives ordered by the Swedish State Railways. S2, which looks very much like S1, came 1917. Mike – Thanks for the Url’s! Liked the picture with the Santa Fe Train leving (?) Chicago. It is from the same area shown in my picture from Sears Tower. The last link (Rutland Pics) did not show any pictures at all.
Another Thursday at the Saloon by the Siding and time for a hot mug of freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee - pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and a <light> or <traditional> breakfast from the Menu Board.
What's to say, other than it is near-spring-line here in mid-continent USA and before we know it, the calendar will confirm it!
CM3 at 8:49 AM yesterday: A fine supporting slate of info for the Missouri Pacific!
That's really the point, isn't it
The idea is to get some dialogue going from and through the Posts provided by those who take the time and make the effort to do so!
When I first arrived in these parts (1977) the MoPac was "alive ‘n well." Of course, Amtrak had taken over all of the passenger service. The MoPac building downtown was still a bustling HQ place, right next to the SW Bell HQ. Both now long gone. I never had much of a background with mid-western RRs, but quickly recognized the "feelings" many ‘round here had for the Missouri Pacific - another "mighty fine road"!!
Appreciate the round and quarters - as always!
Lars at 1:55 PM yesterday: On the way back to the northland, eh Wise move, Mate. I've experienced similar encounters while "house hunting" and always found it to be to my advantage to "regroup"!
I want to make mention of the fact that in spite of your being away - in spite of the personal "things" going on in your life - and in spite of having a "life" - you've taken the time to keep current with the happenings here at the bar. Many thanx, Lars!
There's nothing I wish to add to your "doom ‘n gloom" commentary other than to say, I surely wish it wasn't so. Very hard to dispute what surely appears to be the reality of things these days. When the very core of our supporters have pretty much abandoned ship, there's only one thing left for the rest of us. Grab the life jackets! <oooooooh>
However, there's always HOPE and judging by the turnout last evening, things seem better now . . .
Your Email was received and I'm considering ‘sharing' it with the guys (as you've given the okay for) - but let's just say, the timing may not be "right" just yet. I understand your thinking and look forward to speaking with you by phone once you get back home.
Doug at 7:02 PM yesterday: Just when it appeared that we were mired down in this latest "funk," along comes the barndad with a second successive-day visit during the week. Now that's something different, but not only appreciated but NEEDED!
We're gonna have some problems with these "new dollars" as the costs to reconfigure our machines far outweighs the benefits. As y'all know, we accept U.S. ‘n Canadian coins, but this stuff is toooooooo much!
Sand dollars
Check out: http://www.thecosmicgift.com/articles/The_Sand_Dollar.htm
"Neat" looking RR building!
What's a "Telletubbie"
Pete at 7:30 PM yesterday: The return of the Wolfman! Been a looooooong absence for a "simple" weekend getaway! <grin>
Check out this URL regarding George Washington and his "connection" to the C&O . . .
http://www.cr.nps.gov/NR/TWHP/wwwlps/lessons/10c&o/10facts1.htm
What we miss when you aren't ‘round are those all-inclusive and DETAILED responses you put together. Nicely done, Sir!
Mike at 11:24 PM yesterday: Another fine spate of URLs from our ResidentURLMeisterMonster - "silent Mike." Enjoyed ‘em all, but have to say those MoPac Pix really were on the mark!
Most interesting "lead" Pix, too bad that our Ontario Connection apparently has disconnected . . . <groan>
Eric at 12:09 AM today: Great start to the day, albeit rather early for this crowd! <grin>
Check out this URL for some intriguing info on MoPac ‘n Alco locos, etc. . . .
http://www.trainweb.org/screamingeagle/
As with the Wolfman, YOU Sir are another who provides "seemless" Posts with an all inclusive theme. I'm most pleased that you've found a place to share your railroading (and other thoughts) and look forward to meeting you in May for our 2nd Annual "Our" Place Classic Trains Rendezvous in St. Louis!
Nice looking "mean machine" from the UP!
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonight is Fish ‘n Chips Nite with servings beginning at 5 PM.
Good Morning Barkeep and All Present; coffee, please; round for the house and $ for the jukebox. The fog has lifted (no, Awk the weather, not my usual mental state), and we actually have a little sunlight this a.m., but it is supposed to get cloudy later with maybe some snow overnight.
Pete is here - as Boris would say, "Glad you're back on your hind legs."
Mike sent some interesting links. The MP steam was excellent. Always liked their locomotives. Also thanks for the shots of the SW1 and of the the passenger train.
The color shot at St. Louis provided a lot to look at. First is the train shed in the background. Then we have a TRRA switcher working a draft of PRR cars. The P Company cars include an RPO and a baggage car which could have been from any number of trains given what the Great Tuscan Father ran in and out of St. Louis. Next, check out the trackwork in the picture; count the diamonds and then look up and you can see part of what to my knowledge was about the only square signal bridge in the territory. Last but not least we have the MP train itself. Part One of Green Frog's DVD Twilight of Steam (I think that was the title) has some scenes at St. Louis which show the bridge and its environs in more detail.
Also thanks for sending the Rutland and CV links. Middlebury does have a large collection of Vermont-related material all housed in a fine library building.
Eric - In answer to your routing question - yes. Somewhere on the old thread I posted a lot about MP passenger service and car routings back in the 1930s - they went everywhere.
Barndad - Like to be there, but duty calls.
Our ‘Steamed Proprietor certainly got something going with the MP post. IIRC, I mentioned earlier that I almost wound up working for them; probably would not have survived the great UP takeover, though - well, what happens happens.
work safe
G'day All!
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #16
Initially Posted on Page 151 of the original Thread
Here's something to enjoy regarding the Budd RDC's from a 1950 advertisement found in my personal collection.
Single Car "Limited"
Here is the new railroad car which is a train in itself - the self-propelled, diesel-powered, all-stainless steel RDC-1. The Budd Company created it to perform a service both to railroads and their patrons, by carrying more passengers on short or long hauls at lower operating cost.
The RDC-1 seats ninety in air-conditioned comfort. With power transmitted hydraulically, from an effortless start it picks up speed like a whippet and stops in a fantastically short space . . . with the easy softness of pushing your hand against a pillow.
Railroad men foresee a wide usefulness for this car. It may be operated as a single unit, or a number of cars can be coupled into a train, operated by one engineman.
Improvement in any field of endeavor begins with imagination. The RDC-1 is another example of Budd practice which is first to envision clearly the need and then bring to bear all the resources of inventive engineering. It follows the modern stainless steel streamliner, the all-steel automobile body, the tapered steel disc wheel and so many other products in which Budd has translated imagination into practical accomplishment. The Budd Company, Philadelphia, Detroit.
Budd
RDC-1 (foto credit: unknown)
RDC-1 BC-15 (courtesy: http://www.trainweb.com/ - foto credit: unknown)
G-day Tom and all present!
Ruth- A good morning to you. I think I'm going to get an OJ this morning. That will do me, Thanks.
Tom- Thanks for the tips for getting to Sacromento. I will have to keep that in mind.
I enjoyed the pics you have posted. The Santa Fe Super Chief is a cool passenger train. But I have to say that the E1 is one of the more ugly locomotives. But it was the very first look of an E-unit. I just can't get over that the headlight isn't protruding from the front of the nose. It's a little weird looking.
I also liked the Southern Pacific's golden state. That's a pretty nice looking passenger train too.
Thanks for all the Passenger Nostalgia, including the Budd RDCs. The BCrail RDC is really nice looking. But what RDC isn't really nice looking anyway.
I also got a look at the monorail. Quite an interesting setup. I have seen some pictures of them before but I have never seen a picture of them ram into each other. I never thought you could "run into" problems. But I suppose when you're at the station, you need it to be as close as possible to get the people on. Interesting.
Eric- A train dispatcher. It's curtainly changed over the years. From throwing levers to touch screen computers. The Fortworth, Texas dispatching terminal is suppose to be one of the lager terminals here in the U.S. Controlling most of the BNSF and other class ones out there.
I saw you were talking about the IORE. I was a little surprised at how muych it weighed and the Tractive effort it can out out. I have only one question... What is it?
I also liked looking at the selection of pics you posted. A few in particular. I liked the C&NW Box car and the narrow gauage roundhouse. Those were some pretty nice finds. The other one that caught my attention was the overhead pic of Chicago. That Bascule bridge there on the river looked so fimiliar to me. then it hit me. The bridge crossing in the Foreground, I walked across a couple of years ago. We were heading for the field museum. I really enjoyed looking at all the railyards. Some pretty cool stuff. Thanks.
Thanks to you and CM3, for the information regarding Centralia, Washington. I can't believe that I have never heard of this town since quite a few railways ran through it, including my favorite, The Milwaukee Road.
Pete- Chicago is always a fun city to travel to. Infact my dad and a couple of his friends have it counting down. 21 days and counting. glad you liked the signal article. I did find the signal chart so maybe it won't be as confusing as before.
Doug- I was looking at your pictures of the theatre, and I can't imagine how long it took to build that thing. All the architecture and design that went into that building is unbelievable. Some nice pics. Thanks
Lars- Some really nice looking bookcovers. I really liked the "travel pullman" and the "London tramway." Those look like some really nice books. Of course anything that sits on rails and carries passengers is always a warm sight to see.
Mike-There was a picture in your group that I really liked. The pic with the NP RDC and The NP RS-11. Both are wounderful locomotives. I wish the Alco was still around. The RDC is still a really nice looking piece also. The best part, they were located in Duluth, MN. Thanks for showing.
Happy railroading
James
Ruth my deAH, I'll take a frosty mug of Piels if you please! Treats for the critters, pickled pig's feet for Boris, and the change is for YOU!
Just taking a short time out from ensuring that all's ready for our departure tomorrow. Just wanted y'all to know that the Larsman is thinking ‘bout ya and this fine establishment of ours.
Cap'n Tom, that's a great rerun of your Nostalgia on the Budd RDC-1. I like the way you've revamped these by giving them a "shot" of something extra. Makes 'em even more appealing to the eye. You surely put a lot into this stuff and it shows!
Good to see that some life has been injected into the joint with the appearances last night by some "regulars" and "irregulars." Hard to tell one from the other these times, huh Anyway, unless something has totally escaped you, our customer base needs a "shot" of something stronger than the stuff being served! Think about it. Cap'n Tom shouldn't be alone in this boat, there's oars enough for plenty more and if the good ship "Our" Place is to remain afloat, we need oarsmen!
James m'boy, I follow your thoughts on that SF diesel. But perhaps you haven't taken the time to reflect just a bit on what CLASSIC really means. If you were to look at that locomotive from the perspective of the TIME it was introduced and the manner in which the public viewed it, perhaps you'd "see it" differently. My thinking is that in "its day" that engine was "revolutionary" by comparison to the steam locos and first iterations of diesels. Along came this particular one, truly a modern design and something never before witnessed. Make sense
Whenever we have the benefit of KNOWING what followed, it's rather easy to distinguish the "odd things" and perhaps things we don't care for. Kinda like looking at a Ford Model T in today's world and making mental comparisons with the cars that followed. Hindsight is just like that, huh
Just my two-cents.
Eric, I echo Cap'n Tom's thoughts on your participation at the bar. I too am very happy that you've found this place, and us, to your liking. We've had so many changes even in the year that I've been aboard, but it's ALWAYS the consistency from guys like you that keeps us on the surface. Your interest and enthusiasm does wonders for me and I suspect others as well. A well-deserved 5- for you, sir!
Appreciate the comments regarding the real estate. Makes sense to me too. The Mrs. and I just haven't felt "right" about it all and figured we'd have more of a chance to regret than celebrate. So we're going to take that step back, get home, regroup and take it from there. One thing we do know is that we're going to find a place down here. That's a given. Fortunately with Phil ‘n his Mrs. helping us out, we've got a leg up on things. The Keys are only a flight away, so to speak.
Go your e-mail and will respond when I get home. Thanks!
Also want to mention the return of Wolfman Pete to the group. Must say that I better NOT find you dipping into upstairs tub. Nope, you've haven't worked a "lick" to earn any Shillings! So don't even think about it!
Good to have you back and I received your e-mail. Thanks! Just haven't had the time to respond yet.
If all goes as "booked," we'll be home before supper time. From Newark to where we live is just about an hour, depending on the "crunch" on the highways. Come to think of it, perhaps I shudda said two hours, as it will be Friday and rush hour will have begun about 3 PM! <groan>
I hope to connect with y'all on Saturday, but if not, count on Monday for sure!
Oh, I almost forgot. Phil sends his regards to the gang at "Our" Place! Says that he will be sending Tom an e-mail before too long. Wants everyone who has provided so many well thought out posts that he is truly impressed with the way we "do things" here.
Ruth, another before I skedaddle. Do I hear my name being bellowed called
It either means I'm in trouble (again) OR we're heading out for a final afternoon aboard the boat. Man oh man that's the life! <aahhhhhhhh>
A rare afternoon appearance by Da Boss! Ruth, take off early, I'll hold things down ‘til Leon gets here. Yeah, there's a sale on over VSs place. Maybe you'll see Cindy over there, if so, give her my regards. <oooooooh>
Had an opportunity to speak with the Wolfman today and he's on the mend from an ailment which has kept him "down" but not "out." Things just aren't the same ‘round here without Pete!
A bit of activity during the daylight kinda warrants a response from me. So have a brew on the house as we get right to it!
CM3 at 8:21 AM today: As ever vigilant, those descriptions you provided to the URLs from "silent Mike" made them all the better! Perhaps why I much prefer the narrative style supplemented by Pix . . .
James at 11:45 AM today: Couldn't have said it better myself as Lars pretty much hit the "hi notes"for me with his comments. Glad you enjoyed the Santa Fe material!
Nice Post from you and good to have you in a talkative ‘n inclusive frame of mind!
Lars at 2:03 PM today: One of the huge drawbacks about GREAT vacations is that they MUST come to an end. Surely felt that way when we were wrapping things up during our Alaska journey in June. But, the memories will live on!
Hope you have a safe journey back to your digs and that all's well when you arrive there. Not to worry about this joint, we'll still be perkin' along when you're able to find your way to your favorite stool!
Thanx for the kind words about the bar and the RDC Post!
Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonight is Fish ‘n Chips Nite with servings beginning at 5 PM.
A pint of Holdens Special please LEON and the Fish'n' Chips before the Candeling please.
I wonder if RUTH and CINDY going to VS as anything to do with LARS returning home.I,m a bit late getting in I have been reading those great links .
MIKE Thanks for another set of great links.Wonderful colour postcard of St Albans station a big contrast to the photo of Amtrak #207.The Rutland RR is a very intersting link with plenty of photos and info. It took a while to load but was well worth it
Great Mo-Pac pics and many thanks CM3 for making the colour shot of MP # 388 at St Louis come alive .
ERIC Thanks for the info on No 1928, thinking about this I am fairly sure I had a ride behind her quite a few years ago on the Nene Valley Railway. Another loco from the early days of the Great Central Railway preservation years I have fond memories of is Norweigian 2-6-0 King Haakon 7. it the days the GCR was just staring running the loco done great work, this would be in the early 1970s. The loco is now at Bressingham Steam Gardens in Norfolk, England .
http://www.bressingham.co.uk/ageofsteam/ageofsteam.htm
I think I have some old slides of the loco.
Good pic of UP # 6915. I have heard that UP have a working example of one of these locos in the Heritage Fleet, I dont know how often the loco is run or where it is kept.
JAMES Glad to see you are over your cold.Not long now to your trip to Chicago, I would have dearly loved to have been able to go there 50 years ago, when all those great passenger trains were running, still the city still has a lot of railroad interest today.
LARS May I join Tom in wishing you a safe and trouble free journey home after your great visit to Florida.
Its all right BORIS has been guarding the tub upstares well, so tonight I will make sure the bar is well stocked, including the private bar in the penthouse,although I see there are some Welsh pound notes in the tub.
I hope PHIL will continue to enjoy reading us at the bar and thanks for the kind words.
TOM It was,as always, great to talk to you today and many thanks for the kind words.
What great links, reading about the canal was very interesting and there was a great pic of the canal being built. At the back of my old house in England was the Oxford Canal opened in the 1780s although parts were straightened out in the 1830s, before this it was said that the bargees could hear Newbold church strike 12 hours as the horse drawn barge travelled the twists and turns of the original canal, parts of which can be made out almost 180 years after parts were not used, including one end of a tunnel next to the churchyard.
When I was a lad the canal was still quite busy with narrow boats carrying coal, heading for the south, after this traffic died out in the 1960s the canal became popular with leisure traffic, often with converted coal barges, it seems the canal is a popular as ever with this traffic today.
Enjoyed the BUDD RDC Encore, I wonder if their use did save a few of the branch lines from closure, at least for a few years. And the link to the Mo-Pac Screaming Eagles is brilliant certainly one to return too,it is amazing how times flies by when you get in to a site like that.
I have found a link to the Teletubbies, I have never seen it, but it was a very popular kids program in the UK.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teletubbies
Well LEON one more beer, then work it is, The Fish 'N' Chip was great.
Pete.
Good morning Captain Tom and all present!!
Leon, still awake? No, no Fish and Chips for me. Promise not to tell, but I think fish is for cats. No, I'll just have a cup of coffee! What? I know, Ruth got the afternoon off. She went shopping, buying a new dress? That is true, Lars will be here soon. Hmm.
Interesting things are going on, that is for sure! I had a good day today, got an email from eBay that I won a bid on a very interesting book, Westinghouse Air Brake – 1911 Railroad Engine Book! Looking forward to receive it soon.
Tom – I think it is a little bit to soon for the life jackets yet! Thanks for the link to all the info on MP’s ALCO’s and other locomotives! A lot of interesting info to be found there!Thanks for the nice words, I just like the way things are done at this place. As a matter of fact, I have cut back on time on some other forums in the old country because I like it here. I am also very much looking forward to our Rendezvous in May!There is something special about Budd and RDC! Too bad I didn’t take any pictures of the BUdds that were parked at Union Station, Washington D.C. every weekday for some period of time in 1992 (track 15). I have a picture of the exhaust fumes from them though. CM3 – I have to go back to the old thread and look around for interesting posts on different subjects! James – IORE is a type of electric locomotives used to haul iron ore trains from northern Sweden to the seaports at Narvik, Norway, and Luleå. They are coupled together as twin units producing 10,800 kW of power (=14,483 hp) and weigh 661,500 lbs. Tractive effort: 1350 kN, 303,750 lbf (ballasted). In order to increase the weight they used sheet metal that is 1.57” thick in the walls!I remember Centralia from the tour with the X2000. We went through there a couple of times.The C&NW box car is a narrow gauge car and I have to find out where and why C&NW had narrow gauge cars. Lars – Thanks for the 5- As I said to Tom, I like this tavern and bar and the way things are being done here! Have a safe flight back to Newark and hopefully you will not get stuck in the traffic for the last miles home! Tell Phil that we hope we will see him stop by here in the future!Pete – I must have been tired last night. That is the only way I can think of why I didn’t pay any attention to the number of that Swedish locomotive, #1928. That is for sure a Class S1, nothing else. They had number 1910-1929.UP has only one operational Centennial DD40X left, #6936. It’s part of the Heritage Fleet and as far as I know it is kept in Cheyenne, WY.
*Idiot of the Week #5
A guy walked into a little corner store with a shotgun and demanded
all of the cash from the cash drawer. After the cashier put the cash
in a bag, the robber saw a bottle of Scotch that he wanted behind
the counter on the shelf. He told the cashier to put it in the bag
as well, but the cashier refused and said, "Because I don't believe
you are over 21." The robber said he was, but the clerk still
refused to give it to him because she didn't believe him. At this
point, the robber took his driver's license out of his wallet and
gave it to the clerk. The clerk looked it over and agreed that the
man was in fact over 21 and she put the Scotch in the bag. The
robber then ran from the store with his loot. The cashier promptly
called the police and gave the name and address of the robber that
he got off the license. They arrested the robber two hours later.
This guy definitely needs a sign!
STAY ALERT!
They walk among us .. and they REPRODUCE ..!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They say that all good things do come to an end - so this week of mild temps and blue skies are about to give way to a weekend predicted to be stormy with lots of rain and high winds. Battten down the hatches, Boris, we're in fer it beginning tomorrow!
Friday at the Saloon by the Siding can only mean a relaxing start to the end of the work week by enjoying our Menu Board offerings for <light> ‘n <traditional> breakfasts along with pastries from The Mentor Village Bakery and of course our freshly ground ‘n brewed coffee - <unleaded> ‘n <regular>.
I see the sports world lost one of my "heros" - "DJ" of the Boston Celtics died at 52 after a work out. Dennis Johnson was an outstanding Celtic and will live on in memory amongst those who followed the basketball dynasty of earlier decades. RIP.
Pete at 7:11 PM yesterday: Return of the Wolfman for the 2nd successive evening!
Let's get ONE thing straight - Cindy is MINE, MINE, MINE! Lars ‘n Ruth Well, THAT's another matter!
A fine link to the Bressingham! Spent a bit o' time browsing it . . .
Can't say the same about the Teletubbies! Was just kidding with Doug - but the LESS I know about ‘em, the better I feel! <groan>
I also thought the C&O canal article was interesting, as was your story from "Merry Olde." Once upon a time, in either land, canal barge traffic was essential to the economy. Great pains were made to construct and maintain these canals. It's sad to realize that perhaps their significance has been lost in this modern world of ours.
The linkage between rails and canals shouldn't be forgotten. A subject perhaps someone else can pick up on, eh
I'm going to permit Lars to oversee the construction and installation of "his bar" up in the Penthouse Suite! Question is: Who gets to use the place first!!
Eric at 12:58 AM today: Another fine, but e-a-r-l-y AM visit from our Resident Desert Swede! <yikes>
So, perhaps you can enlighten us regarding the X2000 in North America. As I recall, both the Swedish ‘n German counterpart (ICE) made a tour throughout the land. The idea, I would think, was to SELL the product. Why in the world did either of these efforts fail
I understand that from your perspective, which surely isn't the Board Room, you may have seen things differently - which is precisely what would be interesting to learn.
Love that Pix - "cool" looking machine, fer sure, fer sure!
Do you happen to recall the road names on those RDCs at WashDC Union Station back in the early 90s I know we've discussed a bit of this over on the original Thread . . . just curious.
I'm not sure that VS sells dresses - perhaps "threads" of dresses, but the entire thing, hmmmmm. For Lars Sounds just about right to me! <grin>
Reminder: Ruth has the bar from 9 AM until Leon the Night Man comes in at 5 PM ‘til closing. Tonight is Pizza ‘n Beer Nite! - and - Steak 'n Fries Nite! Begins at 5 PM.
The Passenger Railroad Fallen Flags of "Our" Place #3
Western Pacific Railroad (WP)
A form of this was initially Posted on Page 108 of the original Thread
Route mileage in 1950: 1,137
Locomotives in 1963: Diesel - 174
Rolling stock in 1950: Freight cars - 5,532; Passenger cars - 29
Principal routes in 1950 (not including subsidies):
Oakland-Stockton-Sacramento, CA-Salt Lake City, UT
Keddie-Bieber, CA
Reno Junction-Reno, NV
Niles-San Jose, CA
Passenger trains of note:
California Zephyr (Chicago-Oakland)
Exposition Flyer (Chicago - Oakland)
Feather River Express (Oakland-Portola, CA)
Royal Gorge (Oakland-St. Louis, MO)
Scenic Limited (Oakland-St. Louis)
Zephyrette (Oakland-Salt Lake City) [RDC's!]
WP drumheads
WP #581, Baldwin VO-1000 (from: http://www.wikipedia.com/ - authorized by: www.trainweb.com)
WP GP35 #3009 (1974) (from: http://www.trainweb.com/) - authorized by: www.trainweb.com)
WP FP7A #805A (1999) (from: http://www.trainweb.com/ - authorized by: www.trainweb.com)
PASSENGER TRAIN NOSTALGIA #17
Initially Posted on Page 153 of the original Thread
RDC - All-purpose Railway Passenger Coach
RDC introduced a year ago, is the new all-stainless steel, self-propelled Budd rail diesel car. It is good looking, quiet, smooth riding. It is comfortable, clean and air-conditioned.
The New York Central now has two Budd RDC's operating express service between Springfield and Boston, and a third, providing local service between western Massachusetts and Albany.
The Western Pacific has two RDC's covering the 924 miles which separate Oakland and Salt Lake City.
The Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines have just placed six RDC's in operation between Camden, Ocean City, Wildwood and Cape May. They leave Camden as a six-car train and end up as two-car trains at each of the three Jersey cities.,
The Chicago & North Western has three RDC's in commuter service; the Baltimore & Ohio will soon have two and the New York, Susquehanna Western, four.
These varied uses to which RDC is being put cover almost every kind of service a railway passenger coach can render.
The general acceptance of the Budd all-stainless steel RDC suggests that the development of railway passenger coach equipment may be headed in a new direction.
The Budd Company
Philadelphia, Detroit, Gary
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